Trigger finger warmer



April 24, 1962 R. c. Glass 3,031,557

TRIGGER FINGER WARMER Filed May 26, 1959 .n u 'n 1. .I -l .4.

INVENTOR.

/PF/P' CLy 6;/555

United States Patent O 3,031,557 TRIGGER FINGER WARMER Robert Clay Gibbs, 124 Longview Drive, Richmond, Ky. Filed May 26, 1959, Ser. No. 815,915 1 Claim. (Cl. 219-19) This invention relates to a finger warming device, and more particularly to a finger warming device for a firearm such as a rifle, gun or the like.

'Ihe object of the invention is to provide a finger warming device which is adapted to be releasably fastened or held connected to a firearm, as for example by means of a magnet, and wherein the device of the present invention includes a heating element which is adapted to be selectively actuated in order to provide sufficient heat for warming a persons fingers, as for example when a rifle is being fired or shot.

Another object of the invention is to provide a finger warming device which can be readily attached to a firearm when it is to be used, and when the device is not needed it can be readily removed or detached from the firearm, the device includes a hollow casing which permits a persons fingers to be readily inserted therein so that the fingers can be arranged contiguous to the heating element which is energized by a suitable battery so that the entire device is self contained.

A further object of the invention is to provide a finger warmer which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view showing the finger warming device of the present invention attached to a rifle.

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the linger warming device.

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational view.

FIGURE 4 is a view taken at right angles to the view shown in FIGURE 2, with parts broken away and in section.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral indicates a conventional firearm such as a rifle which includes the usual parts such as the trigger 11.

According to the present invention there is provided a finger warming device which is indicated generally by the numeral 12, and the finger warming device 12 includes a hollow casing or shell 13. The device 12 is adapted to be releasably or detachably connected to the firearm 10 as for example by means of a magnet 14 which may be aiiixed to the casing 13.

The casing 13 is provided with a removable closure 15 on one end thereof, FIGURE 2, and the closure 15 may be connected to the casing 13 as for example by means of a hinge construction, 16. Arranged within the casing 13 and positioned contiguous to the movable closure 15 is a source of electrical energy or battery 17. There is provided an electrical circuit which includes a heating element 18 that is electrically connected to the battery 17, and the circuit also includes a manually operable switch 19. The switch 19 is of the type which includes a movable member 20 which carries the contact 21, and the contact 21 is mounted for movement into and out of engagement with the contact 22. Thus, by inserting the finger such as the trigger finger through the open end 23 of the casing 13 the member 20 can be fiexed so as to move the contact 21 into engagement with the contact 22 in order to complete the electrical circuit from 3,931,557 Patented Apr. 24, 1962 the battery 17 to the heating element 18. This will cause the heating element 18 to be energized so that the finger contiguous thereto can be suitably heated or warmed.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a device which is especially suitable for use in warming a persons finger, such as the trigger finger as for example when a firearm is being used or fired in cold weather conditions. When the device is being used, it may be maintained contiguous to the side of the rearm such as the firearm 10 as for example by means of the magnet 14. Then, when a nger, such as the trigger finger is to be warmed, the finger can be inserted in the opening 23 of the casing 13 and then the member 20 can be switched so as to bring the contact 21 into engagement with the contact 22 and so complete the electrical circuit from the battery 17 to the heating element 18, so that heat will be given off by the element 18 and this heat can be used for warming a persons finger or fingers. When pressure on the member 20 is released, the inherent flexibility of the member 20 will carry the contact 21 away from the contact 22 so that the circuit to the heating element 18 will be open whereby there will be no excess drainage of the battery 17. The closure 15 can be swung open on the hinge 16 as for example when the battery 17 is to be removed or replaced.

The parts may be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes.

The electrical circuit may include suitable wires for connecting the battery and heating element and switch together. The present invention can be quickly attached or detached to any type of gun and can be easily and economically made. The casing may be slotted in the bottom to allow quick withdrawal of the finger. One or more magnets may be provided for holding the device in place on the metal surface of a gun or other metal object.

The finger'warmer of the present invention can be quickly attached when needed on cold hunting days and no tools are needed for proper placement or removal. With the present invention a hunter can keep the trigger nger warm so that the ability to respond is not retarded, as for example when game has been sighted. The device is also especially suitable for use by soldiers serving or on duty in extremely cold weather. The parts are adapted to be made waterproof and strong enough to withstand rough treatment.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of the invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

I claim:

In a finger warming device for a firearm having a trigger, a hollow casing having an open end, a magnet aixed to said casing for releasably connecting the casing to the firearm, a hingedly mounted movable closure on one end of said casing, an electrical heating element in said casing, a source of electrical energy in said casing contiguous to said closure, and an electrical circuit including a manually operable switch embodying a movable member having a contact thereon positioned in said casing and electrically connected to said heating element and source of electrical energy, whereby when a finger such as the trigger finger is to be warmed, the finger can be inserted into the casing to actuate the switch so as to complete the electrical circuit from the source of electrical energy to the heating element, and wherein when manual pressure on the switch is released, the circuit to the heating element will be automatically opened whereby there will be no excess drainage of the source of electrical energy.

(References on following page) 3 References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,558,278 Phillips Oct. 20, 1925 2,160,443 Schadell May 30, 1939 5 2,555,416 Marano June 5, 1951 Broyles July28, 1953 4 Y Duncan July 27, 1954 Cordis Feb. 15`, 1'955 Perez Jan. 3, 1956 Nemeth Feb. 14, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany July 8, 1937 

